Feeding Kentucky and The Kentucky Center for Economic Policy are joining together with partners across the state to encourage families to apply for Pandemic Electronic Benefit Transfer (P-EBT) benefits before the Aug. 31 deadline.

P-EBT helps households with eligible students who missed school meals in March, April and May 2020 by providing a benefits card that families can use to buy food. Families can receive up to $313.50 for each child who received free or reduced-price meals at school prior to COVID-related school closures.

There are roughly 117,000 Kentucky students who qualify but whose parents or guardians have not yet applied, according to a release issued by Feeding Kentucky.

The Kentucky Center for Economic Policy estimates that if all 117,000 families applied, Kentucky's economy would receive a boost of over $35 million.

Any student who received free or reduced-price meals at school prior to COVID-related school closures is eligible. There is no income limit to participate in the program. P-EBT does not impact the public charge rule.

Benefits should have been added automatically for families with an EBT card. Families without a current EBT card or who haven’t received these benefits can apply on line at https://feedingky.org